1.a Crabtree - All around solid player that is very versitle and excellent in the short and intermidate pass play, not to mention blocking. Keep in mind Harbaugh loves formations that he can run or pass out of.
1.b Moss - Definite home run threat and explosive player, but I think Crabs sees more action due to his run block skills.
2. Kyle Williams - Everybody was on this kids jock pre-NFCC. The kid is lighting quick in and out of his breaks and has a suddeness about him as soon as the ball touches his hands. His two mistakes have made people forget just how effective of a reciever he can be. I look for him to become a poor mans Wes Walker in time.
3. Mario M - Very good reciever, but unlike the three guys ahead of him he doesn't have a clear cut specialty, plus its his first year in the playbook. I wouldn't be totally suprised to see him replace Moss on downs that can be either a pass or run.
4. Aj Jenkins - I dont expect to see much of him during the beginning of the season, I just hope he shows progress as it progresses.
5. Others - Who cares

Suprise: Ginn is cut. With all the talent at RB and WR that we have, I dont think Ginn brings enough to the table to make the roster. LMJ, Cox and Williams (gulp), might take his job returning kicks. I dont think the team will let him go though until they see the guys I just mentioned under live fire.

Edit: The only guy I see staying on the field constantly is Crabtree. The personnel on the field will be determined by the down and distance and defensive matchups. I think ranking the recievers is far too simplistic for a man like Harbaugh.

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
1.a Crabtree - All around solid player that is very versitle and excellent in the short and intermidate pass play, not to mention blocking. Keep in mind Harbaugh loves formations that he can run or pass out of.
1.b Moss - Definite home run threat and explosive player, but I think Crabs sees more action due to his run block skills.
2. Kyle Williams - Everybody was on this kids jock pre-NFCC. The kid is lighting quick in and out of his breaks and has a suddeness about him as soon as the ball touches his hands. His two mistakes have made people forget just how effective of a reciever he can be. I look for him to become a poor mans Wes Walker in time.
3. Mario M - Very good reciever, but unlike the three guys ahead of him he doesn't have a clear cut specialty, plus its his first year in the playbook. I wouldn't be totally suprised to see him replace Moss on downs that can be either a pass or run.
4. Aj Jenkins - I dont expect to see much of him during the beginning of the season, I just hope he shows progress as it progresses.
5. Others - Who cares

Suprise: Ginn is cut. With all the talent at RB and WR that we have, I dont think Ginn brings enough to the table to make the roster. LMJ, Cox and Williams (gulp), might take his job returning kicks. I dont think the team will let him go though until they see the guys I just mentioned under live fire.

I can see this happening. I think Sealy and the fact that we have more starters on special teams was a direct correlation to Ginn having success on returns (Kyle Williams also looked good). However, I think we keep Ginn also since we lost one special team specialists, so Ginn can take up that money/spot. Ginn also showed great commitment in taking a pay cut last offseason and I don't think this front office would do something to screw that type of leadership team first action.

Reversal of roles.... Back in '98, Moss was the young but undisciplined deep-threat that needed Cris Carter's guidance, now it's the other way around with Crabtree/Moss. I envision production similar to what the Vikings had,with the added bonus of a bruising running game. Crabs will most likely score the most TDs, Moss the most yards, and Vernon Davis will play Jake Reed's role of being that physical threat in the middle of the field. Should be fun.

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
1.a Crabtree - All around solid player that is very versitle and excellent in the short and intermidate pass play, not to mention blocking. Keep in mind Harbaugh loves formations that he can run or pass out of.
1.b Moss - Definite home run threat and explosive player, but I think Crabs sees more action due to his run block skills.
2. Kyle Williams - Everybody was on this kids jock pre-NFCC. The kid is lighting quick in and out of his breaks and has a suddeness about him as soon as the ball touches his hands. His two mistakes have made people forget just how effective of a reciever he can be. I look for him to become a poor mans Wes Walker in time.
3. Mario M - Very good reciever, but unlike the three guys ahead of him he doesn't have a clear cut specialty, plus its his first year in the playbook. I wouldn't be totally suprised to see him replace Moss on downs that can be either a pass or run.
4. Aj Jenkins - I dont expect to see much of him during the beginning of the season, I just hope he shows progress as it progresses.
5. Others - Who cares

Suprise: Ginn is cut. With all the talent at RB and WR that we have, I dont think Ginn brings enough to the table to make the roster. LMJ, Cox and Williams (gulp), might take his job returning kicks. I dont think the team will let him go though until they see the guys I just mentioned under live fire.

I can see this happening. I think Sealy and the fact that we have more starters on special teams was a direct correlation to Ginn having success on returns (Kyle Williams also looked good). However, I think we keep Ginn also since we lost one special team specialists, so Ginn can take up that money/spot.Ginn also showed great commitment in taking a pay cut last offseason and I don't think this front office would do something to screw that type of leadership team first action.

At the end of the day I think the FO makes all of their decisions based on whats best for the team. They were prepared to let Ginn walk. They also brought in Cartwright, who I believe can return kicks. We'll see, but based on the depth on this team, I expect one or two very solid players to get cut.

Looks about right but I think Williams makes the team and I would have him as the 5th WR over Ginn. Ginn should NEVER touch the field as a WR. He's a below average WR at best. At least Williams shows potential.

This will the the FIRST time in years that the offense has a COMPLETE set of weapons. For years the WR have been afterthoughts allowing defenses to smother as best they could Gore and Davis. For years, defenses have just played to keep the 49ers offense in "front of them" - playing tight defense. The only person they really had to account for - and yet he still go open deep occassionaly -- was Davis.

With Moss, Manningham, and possibly James as a speedster underneath from RB, this offense FINALLY has a threat at every position, Which could massively open up Crabs, Gore, and Davis. I absolutely can't wait for the first game of the season to get a peak of a complete 49ers offense in years!

Shoot, even Bruce Miller being the second incarnation of Rathman would cause enormous new headaches for a defense. Can you imagine (its been so long) a defense no longer being able to anticipate a handful of plays we run from any certain personnell and formation package. Literally, on any play and any personnell package, any one of the weapons could get the ball!

Think back to Rice, Taylor, Brent Jones, Floyd, and Waters - a defense just couldn't take them all away.

The challenge for the 49ers and ASmith may quickly become how to keep the ball spread around to all the playmakers. Shoot, ASmith's indecision may come from too many GOOD choices for once in his 49ers life.

Then by mid season imagine a K-gun package coming on the field with Kap? Defenses are going to have a lot to handle. :)

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
1.a Crabtree - All around solid player that is very versitle and excellent in the short and intermidate pass play, not to mention blocking. Keep in mind Harbaugh loves formations that he can run or pass out of.
1.b Moss - Definite home run threat and explosive player, but I think Crabs sees more action due to his run block skills.
2. Kyle Williams - Everybody was on this kids jock pre-NFCC. The kid is lighting quick in and out of his breaks and has a suddeness about him as soon as the ball touches his hands. His two mistakes have made people forget just how effective of a reciever he can be. I look for him to become a poor mans Wes Walker in time.
3. Mario M - Very good reciever, but unlike the three guys ahead of him he doesn't have a clear cut specialty, plus its his first year in the playbook. I wouldn't be totally suprised to see him replace Moss on downs that can be either a pass or run.
4. Aj Jenkins - I dont expect to see much of him during the beginning of the season, I just hope he shows progress as it progresses.
5. Others - Who cares

Suprise: Ginn is cut. With all the talent at RB and WR that we have, I dont think Ginn brings enough to the table to make the roster. LMJ, Cox and Williams (gulp), might take his job returning kicks. I dont think the team will let him go though until they see the guys I just mentioned under live fire.

Edit: The only guy I see staying on the field constantly is Crabtree. The personnel on the field will be determined by the down and distance and defensive matchups. I think ranking the recievers is far too simplistic for a man like Harbaugh.

the bolded is interesting to me. I'm actually not really sure if I agree or disagree, but it is an interesting questions. What would help the team more on running plays, the threat of Moss, or the blocking of Crabtree?

With Crabtree alone the safeties would be more likely to be in the box, clogging things up, but with Moss in you may not be able to run it to his side as effectively if he needs to block.

Randy is one of those guys that is only limited by his own mind, and motivation. So if he is motivated this season he is going to be a complete beast. He is the biggest freak to ever play the position. It seems like Smith is going to him quite a bit as well. His numbers may be diminished this season because of the offense, and getting doubled all the time, but still barring injury, or a mental meltdown he is going to be great. There is precedence for this too, when everyone said he was dfone in Oakland, and then he became motivated again and tore it up for a few years. It seems like almost the same situation.

Crabtree is going to be better. He is a legitimate #2 who will now be option 2 or 3 (in a good way) so he will be able to eat up that 2nd CB matchup. I look for him to have a solid year. If he can stay on the field he should do some nice things. He might even lead the team in receptions.

Manningham. I think he is good, but I don't really know what to expect out of him. Will he be utilized more this season? Will he be mad because he is the 3rd WR? He is not really a slot guy, so we'll have to see how he likes being the 4th option when he is in there.

Williams - I think Williams is very talented, and if he makes the team I think he will have a big impact. His PT is going to be limited unless there is an injury or something. If he beats out Manningham then I guess that will really say something about his progress.

Jenkins - I'm not looking for him to contribute a ton this season, but I do hope that he comes on as the year progresses, and adds a new dimentsion just as the playoffs are approaching. I see him becoming the outside guy next season.

Ginn - Unless one of the other guys shines in PR/KR then You have to keep Ginn around. I feel kind of bad for the guy, but he should almost never see the field as a WR on this team. Maybe he can run a few reverses, or be a deep decoy to keep the safeties honest at times.

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